Trout are freshwater fish that belong to the genera Salmo, Salvelinus, and Oncorhynchus. These are all from the same subfamily known as Salmonidae.
Though, you will notice that the word trout is also often used to describe some varieties that are not a part of these genera.
Trout are usually hunted down because this is a tough variety to catch. This makes it a great option for anglers that are looking for some challenge.
You should note that this is not the only reason why the variety is caught as it also comes with delicious meat.
The taste usually varies from variety to variety which is why selecting these carefully can be important.
Trout has tons of species that you can choose from, but the stocked brown and wild brown trout are some of the most popular varieties that you might come across.
Both of these are quite similar which is why you will notice people getting confused between them. If you are running into the same issue, then going through this article should help you out.
This is because we will be providing you with a detailed comparison between the two varieties.
Stocked Brown Trout vs Wild Brown Trout
| Brown Trout | Stocked Brown Trout | Wild Brown Trout |
| Location | Migratory Fish | Migratory Fish |
| Color Behind The Eye | Blue Behind The Eye | Black Behind The Eye |
| Condition Of Fins | Beat Up Rubbery Fins | Perfect Fins, Thin Around Edges |
| Coloration Of Fish | Gray Tons Throughout the Body | Vivid Colors Throughout Body |
| Shape and Fat Content | Pot Belly, Lots Of Fat | Firm and Lack of Fat Content |
Stocked Brown Trout
Brown Trout is a European species of the fish salmonid that has been introduced widely around the world. There are several reasons behind this which include the fish being fun to catch.
Additionally, their taste is another factor that plays a huge role when catching the variety.
Brown trout are considered to be some of the tastiest and healthiest varieties that can be eaten.
Their meat has some of the highest content of protein which makes them a great addition to most diets. Moreover, the meat has tons of omega-3 fatty acids that are great for preventing heart diseases.
The average size of the fish is around 14 to 24 inches which is larger than other varieties of trout. Aside from this, the weight ranges from 2 to even 10 pounds in some cases.
This usually varies depending on the diet this fish had throughout its life.
Most people trying to purchase brown trout meat or catch this variety might come across the terms stocked and wild fish.
If you don’t know what this means, then you should note that stocked brown trout are generally the varieties that are grown in fisheries or small farms.
The variety is the same but there are a few differences between it and wild trout because the area where they grow can affect the variety.
Stocked brown trout usually have thick fins that have a rubbery texture. These get damaged because of the fish swimming in a tight place.
Additionally, the variety might get used as game fish which also damages it. As for the weight and size of the fish, this is generally more than wild brown trout.
The main reason behind this is that varieties growing in fisheries usually have access to better food.
The stocked varieties grow larger and mostly have pot bellies because of overfeeding. This is also one of the easiest ways to distinguish between them and a wild brown trout.
While stocked brown trout have more meat and fat content, their taste is usually worse when compared to wild varieties.
This is because of the way these varieties grow. Most animals grow better in the wild as they get to roam around and hunt for their prey.
Keeping these fish in farms usually means that they will be weaker. Another thing to note is that most stocked trout will die within a year if left inside a stream.
Wild Brown Trout
When talking about wild brown trout, you should note that these are varieties that grow in freshwater and streams.
People talking about brown trout usually refer to these wild varieties, as the stocked varieties are worse with the only benefit being that they are cheaper.
The easiest way to distinguish these fish from stocked brown trout is by checking their eyes . You will notice that the wild varieties have a blue color on the back of their eye.
This develops whenever a variety lives in streams and can help in distinguishing between these.
Aside from this, the shape of wild brown trout is usually firm and lean. This allows the variety to quickly swim around the body of water and even change its location if required.
These are migratory fish that will often change their spots depending on the weather conditions or availability of prey.
You should note that the spot you are fishing in plays a huge role when trying to catch a variety like this. Some fisheries release their stocked brown trout inside streams.
This is why you must check the location you are fishing at. This can help you in confirming what varieties will be caught.
Generally, the fins of wild brown trout are thin from the ends while they are thicker from the start. The perfect shape of the fins is another way to easily tell the variety apart.
The taste of the meat and nutritional value is easily better when compared to stocked varieties.
Though, the fat content can be lower which is both good and bad. This makes the meat healthier, but the only downside is that people have to cook it carefully.
This is because low-fat content means that the meat might burn when cooked at high heat.
Going through the information provided above most people should be able to understand how stock brown trout are different from wild brown trout.
Keep in mind that the factors mentioned should all be used together for the best results.